Simulation-based training curriculum for urology residents

Information

A complete urology training residency programme must embrace multiple requirements to produce competent, skilled, and trained urologists. However, the new generation of urology residents are prone to more learning hurdles in the operating room (OR) than previous generations. Surgical exposure of Italian and European urology residents for invasive procedures, confidence in performing these procedures, and overall satisfaction with training is low.

Ethical concerns about acquiring surgical skills at the start of the learning curve on real patients and the demands imposed by a zero-complication ethos expected by patients, have induced surgical trainers to challenge the current training apprenticeship model paradigm. All these reasons have prompted the exploration of alternative approaches to learning in the OR. With influences from the military and aviation industries, which heavily depend on simulation-based training, there has been widespread adoption of surgical simulation. Recent evidence showed that this strategy enhances progression at least along the initial phase of the learning curve. Effective simulation can provide safe and controlled environments outside of the OR in which residents can acquire surgical skills without endangering patient safety.

In particular this course will provide a Urological cadaver lab: a one-day training session on cadaver.

Chairperson

• Nicolò Maria Buffi Director of the Urology Residency School,
  Humanitas University